b's fall movie preview [Pictures]

Weinstein Company

This summer's film offerings have ranged from occasionally superb ("The Dark Knight Rises") to mostly downright dismal ("That's My Boy" -- Adam Sandler, what did we ever do to you?). But we're particularly pumped for the fall, which appears stacked with intriguing options (especially if you're interested in the following: Scientology, hobbits and Osama Bin Laden). You may not agree with our picks; big-budget musical "Les Miserables" didn't make the cut, though hopefully it was worth it for Anne Hathaway to shave her head. But we're sure you'll find at least something to get you excited. --Jordan Bartel

This summer's film offerings have ranged from occasionally superb ("The Dark Knight Rises") to mostly downright dismal ("That's My Boy" -- Adam Sandler, what did we ever do to you?). But we're particularly pumped for the fall, which appears stacked with intriguing options (especially if you're interested in the following: Scientology, hobbits and Osama Bin Laden). You may not agree with our picks; big-budget musical "Les Miserables" didn't make the cut, though hopefully it was worth it for Anne Hathaway to shave her head. But we're sure you'll find at least something to get you excited. --Jordan Bartel (Weinstein Company)

Stars: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Joaquin Phoenix Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Why we're excited: Welcome back from crazytown (er, fake retirement), Joaquin Phoenix! He plays a former drifter who becomes a follower of the head of a faith-based organization, the titular Master, played by Hoffman (in a role Anderson says was inspired by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Anderson ("There Will Be Blood") could have written a four-hour film on Martin Luther and the Reformation and we still would have been first in line.

Stars: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Joaquin Phoenix Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Why we're excited: Welcome back from crazytown (er, fake retirement), Joaquin Phoenix! He plays a former drifter who becomes a follower of the head of a faith-based organization, the titular Master, played by Hoffman (in a role Anderson says was inspired by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Anderson ("There Will Be Blood") could have written a four-hour film on Martin Luther and the Reformation and we still would have been first in line. (Weinstein Company)